Dark Skies friendly

The North York Moors National Park is a fantastic place to enjoy Dark Skies whether it’s at one of our Discovery Centres, at an organised event at a great venue or simply relaxing at your holiday cottage, campsite or B&B with a deckchair, a warm blanket and some binoculars.

A network of businesses have signed up to our Dark Skies Friendly initiative, making it easy for you to plan and make the most of your stay in the area. They've gone the extra mile to offer specific activities, facilities, information or services to enhance your star gazing experience in the North York Moors National Park.

Accommodation providers

Stay in an area where you can enjoy Dark Skies on the premises. Dark Skies Friendly accommodation providers have equipment such as telescopes or binoculars and reclining chairs with blankets so you can relax and keep warm whilst looking at the stars. They will also have books, star maps and information on events and other great locations for you to enjoy. Some may also run stay and gaze packages with an expert onsite for activities as part of your stay.

Activity providers

Book an organised event, including stargazing or astro-photography with experts such as Hidden Horizons and Steve Bell Photography or attend an event run by one of the passionate and knowledgeable local astro-societies. Find more festivals, events and activities in the area. You'll learn all you need to know about the skies above and receive some useful hints and tips on where to go within the National Park or surrounding areas so you’ll be ready for some DIY stargazing.

Venues and Sites

Head to an event at one of our ‘Milky Way Class’ Dark Sky Discovery sites for some of the best quality night sky viewing or look on our map for other sites which run events or are simply great places for you to enjoy stargazing. Where to go, what to see has even more ideas.

Funding

Our Dark Skies friendly initiative has been developed as part of Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales, a partnership project to boost rural tourism across the four protected landscapes within North Yorkshire. Funding for this project has been secured from the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas.